Crimson Tide baseball team begins big week

Tuesday

May 7, 2013 at 12:01 AM

Given how things played out over the weekend with Alabama being swept at Mississippi State, tonight’s game against the team with the second-to-worst RPI (297 in Monday’s rankings) in the country may be just what the Crimson Tide needs before four huge games this week.

By Aaron SuttlesSports Writer

TUSCALOOSA | Given how things played out over the weekend with Alabama being swept at Mississippi State, tonight’s game against the team with the second-to-worst RPI (297 in Monday’s rankings) in the country may be just what the Crimson Tide needs before four huge games this week.An easy contest where things fall into place could be a big confidence boost before Wednesday’s game against No. 25 Troy and a three-game series against Missouri this weekend — all must-wins for Alabama’s postseason hopes.Tonight’s game was scheduled after the April 28 game against Texas A&M was canceled because of rain. Teams are allowed 56 regular season games, and Alabama, wanting to maximize its chance at an NCAA regional by boosting its win total, took advantage and called Mississippi Valley State.“We wanted to play this game next Tuesday, but the only spot was (today),” Alabama coach Mitch Gaspard said. “With the way the weekend shook out, we need to get back on the winning track and get a good mindset as we move forward. Guys have to perform and get back to the little things we’ve done well to be successful.”Freshman walk-on Mike Oczypok, a right-hander, earns the start tonight. He is 3-1 with a 2.91 ERA in eight appearances and two starts.Tonight’s game coupled with Wednesday’s game against Troy may not seem significant on the surface, but both are important. To qualify for an NCAA regional a team must be at least one game better than .500. “They’re both really meaningful,” Gaspard said. “Just realistically, you have to be above .500. I think the RPI is set, as long as we take care of our business we’re going to be in a good position there. I think we’ll stay top 40. Mississippi Valley State is coming in here at 5-41, and then you turn around against Troy, which has 35 wins. They’re playing great. A real offensive team. We have to pitch it really good and we have to be offensive. We have to do a good job of getting on the board and do the things that we do well.“It’s two big games, and two games that are very important to us right now with where we’re at in this part of the season.”

Reach Aaron Suttles at aaron@tidesports.com or at 205-722-0229.

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